Parker July 2015

Parker

JULY 2015

ParkerLifestyle.com

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Publisher’s Letter

Inspired by...

I

n this issue, I wanted to share some inspiration since our publications are “Inspired By Community,” and ours is one of the best.

Time and time again I hear and see how our community comes together, including recently when our community came together to celebrate the launch and ribbon cutting for Parker Lifestyle.

At this celebration, I asked our visitors to finish the statement, "Inspired by..." Below are some of the responses, which include quotes that inspire, too: Mike, Car Connections: “...the beauty and splendor of nature.”

Amy, Car Connections: “...creative ideas and connecting people."

Denise, Your Computer Tutor: “...empowering people Kelly with her son, Luke through technology.”

Steve Riecks: “...art!”

Stacy Pederson: “...food, family and fun!”

Diana Riley: “Make people feel important!” --Mary Kay Ash Laura Seeger, Herbalife: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live life you’ve imagined.” --Henry D Thoreau Kate Richards, Parker Chamber: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up some where else.” --Yogi Berra Safe Splash Swim School: “Just keep swimming.”

Tony, Colorado Shutters: “How you do anything is how you do everything!” -- Jim Rohn Mike Seeger, Herbalife: “There is no “I” in team but there is “me.”

Mary Jo, Fred Astaire Dance Studio: “Be raving fans of your staff and clients!”

Jo Guerra, Kick A Marketing Group: “Live, Laugh, Love and Kick A” Rick and Donna Foerster, The Foerster Team: “Go as fast as you can see. When you get there, you’ll be able to see farther.”

Tom LeRoux, The Nacho Men: “Practice, Practice, Practice!”

Janice, Hygiene Innovation: “Keep Dreaming. That is how they will come true.”

Joanne, LLJ Group: “Always remember why you got into business and pay yourself first.”

Tarry Robertson: “Be a blessing to everyone you meet.”

Jenny LeRoux, Chrysalis Events: “Get rid of your stress, enjoy your guests!”

JULY 2015 publisher Kelly Veltrie | KVeltrie@LifestylePubs.com 303.883.0129

editor Susan Cormier | SCormier@LifestylePubs.com

contributing writers Rebecca Berra, Tabitha Carver-Roberts, Heidi Jason, Tim Ottmann, Tom Strongman

contributing photographers Rebeca Berra, Tom Strongman, Ted Veltrie

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Chelsi Hornbaker layout designer | Nicole Sylvester copy editor | Kendra Mathewson executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Kelly Veltrie, Publisher KVeltrie@lifestylepubs.com

by Community ™

ParkerLifestyle.com ON THE COVER Parker’s Sydney Cornell wants to return to Hawaii for this year’s Kona Ironman. She hopes she will be joined by some of the local athletes she helps train in the growing sport.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

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P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Parker Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Parker’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Parker Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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July 2015

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16 A Whole New View on Life

Bleopharoplasty provides rejuvenation.

Discover the work of the Debbie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Foundation.Â

Departments 8

Good Times

12

Around Town

16

Healthy Lifestyle

18

Giving Back

22

Hot Spot

24

Parent’s Corner

26

Animal Tracks

28

Drivers Notebook

32

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

18 Helping Future Generations 22 A Night of Their Dreams

Air Force couple is honored with wedding.

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Good Times

Parker Lifestyle's Launch Party

Members of the business community and area residents celebrated the launch of Parker Lifestyle magazine during a recent Parker Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at The Rock, Wood Fired Pizza. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED VELTRIE

Diana Riley writes words of inspiration, which are included in the Publisher’s Note of this issue.

Publisher Kelly Veltrie cuts the ribbon with Editor Susan Cormier and Writer/Photographer Rebecca Berra.

Parker Area Chamber of Commerce's Dennis Houston presents Kelly Veltrie with a congratuEditor Susan Cormier speaks to the crowd. latory certificate.

Publisher Kelly Veltrie (left) talks with Tony Ceno of Colorado Shutters.

Publisher Kelly Veltrie welcomes Advertisers and Chamber members enjoy the food and beverages provid- The Chamber's President and CEO Dennis Houston (left) and Mike Seeger (right) advertisers, area residents and introduce Kelly Veltrie.

Chamber members. ed by The Rock.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

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July is when we celebrate our independence: it is when we thank our military and first responders for their protection of our freedom—we remember those who have gone before. We celebrate with fireworks, picnics, parades, and parties to commemorate these generous and selfless acts. Among those freedoms is our financial freedom and independence. Financial freedom is something different for everyone. What does financial freedom look like for you? Let me help you see what that is and how you can achieve it.

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Good Times

Senior Stroll

Beautiful weather and more than 100 active aging adults participated in the sixth annual Senior Stroll on May 27 at O’Brien Park, held in recognition of National Senior Health and Fitness Day. PHOTOGRAPHY BY PARKER PARKS AND RECREATION

The start of the Senior Stroll

Mark Smith of Seniors Helping Seniors with Angelo Ramirez and Kathy Killip

Dorothy Pope, Dorothy Grosenheider, and Judith and Curtis Dues enjoy the beautiful day.

Carol Lamb, Eileen MacMillan and Susan Casiano celebrate the stroll.

The Spare Change Challenge

Parker Task Force volunteers introduced the event during their May food drive. Labels for change containers are still available and donations will go to PTF’s building fund. For information, visit ParkerTaskForce.org. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABI BUDNACK

Glenda Farmer, a long-time Parker Task Force volunteer, pours her jar of spare change into a collection bucket at the Parker Task Force office.

The Parker Task Force’s new building is under construction at 19105 East Long’s Way.

Volunteer Beth Given collects a donated item Volunteer Bob Powers empties his collection of Volunteer Scott Sellers hands out labels for spare during the May 16 Spare Change Challenge and monetary and gift card donations from the May change jars outside a local grocery store.

16 food drive. food drive outside a local grocery store.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

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Around Town The entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. with patriotic favorites performed by Rocky Mountain Brassworks, followed at 7 p.m. by Ronnie Raygun & the Big 80s. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.

Some local food will be available, including Old Time Kettle Korn, Swirls frozen yogurt, Snow Business shaved ice, East Coast Italian ice, burgers and dogs, tacos, burritos, and more.

Residents are welcome to bring coolers and picnic items; however, no alcohol, tents or canopies are allowed. Limited parking and handicap accessible parking will be available at Salisbury Park for $5, cash only.

ROTARY CLUB OF PARKER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS The Rotary Club of Parker awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students at Chaparral and Ponderosa high schools, based on financial need, extracurricular activities, community service and citizenship, grade-point-average, and an essay about Rotary International's motto, "Service Above Self." The 2015 winners were:

Photo by KeyserImages.com

CHAPARRAL SENIOR NAMED CHSPA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR For the second straight year, Chaparral High School’s Maddie Malhotra was named Photographer of the Year by the Colorado High School Press Association.

Malhotra, who is the first to be a repeat winner, served as the editor-in-chief of Chaparral’s yearbook.

According to an article on the Douglas County School District’s website, Chaparral Yearbook Adviser Jeremy Kamm says that choosing Malhotra as this year’s editor-in-chief was one of the easiest decisions he has ever made. And he couldn’t be prouder of this year’s edition of Golden Images.

“In my opinion, although I’m biased, this is the best book that Chaparral has ever produced,” Kamm says. “She was patient and wanted to bring other students up to her level. She set the bar for excellence at Chaparral in terms of what a yearbook can be.”

Ponderosa High School’s Elliott Douglas came in third place.

4TH OF JULY IN PARKER Parker’s 4th of July celebration – Let Freedom Sing! – is set for 6 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road.

The free event is more than just fireworks and music. There are complimentary bounce houses, slides, games, balloon twisting and the new wacky world inflatable, as well as a big slide, climbing wall and human hamster balls.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

Chaparral scholarship winners and their families; Laura Ton (third from left), Korinna Barrett (seventh), and Haleigh Stewart (eight).

CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL:

Sandra Whelchel points out key historical details in her new book, “Parker – Images of America,” during a recent book signing at the Parker Area Historical Society museum.

NEW BOOK PORTRAYS PARKER’S PAST It could be called a labor of love. With about 200 photographs of Parker’s past, it definitely was a lot of work. It’s the latest book on Parker’s history: Parker-Images of America.

Written by Parker native Sandra Jane Whelchel, the historical book will educate readers about those often sought-after details about Parker’s history - from the first Native Americans who roamed the area and the early settlers, to the agricultural days filled with community spirit and the loss of Parker High School in 1958, to severe weather and area’s near demise in the 1970s.

“From a town that without a railroad would have died in the 1880s to a town that nearly died in the 1970s, Parker has become a vibrant and thriving community,” Whelchel writes on the last page. “As the adage says, ‘What does not kill you makes you stronger.’”

Whelchel’s book can be purchased at Poor Richards Book Shoppe in Parker or ordered online at ArcadiaPublishing.com.

Laura Ton , who is ranked 43rd in her class and will attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, majoring in engineering.

Korinna Barrett, who is ranked 46th in her class and will attend the University of Wyoming. She is active in DECA, the National Honor Society, Link Crew, and serves as a tutor in her school.

Haleigh Stewart, who is ranked 57th in her class and will go to the University of San Diego majoring in marketing and communications.

Ponderosa scholarship winners and their families; Ian Hendrick (second from left, William Caine (fourth), and Joanna Pollen (sixth).

PONDEROSA HIGH SCHOOL:

Ian Hendrick, who is 37th in his class and will attend the Colorado School of Mines.

William Caine, ranked 73rd in his class and going to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, majoring in sports management and finance.

Joanna Pollen, ranked 16th in her class and attending Colorado State University, majoring in meteorology.

CHAMBER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS The Parker Area Chamber of Commerce announced that it awarded four $1,500 scholarships this year, thanks to the generous contributions from Chamber members.

Thirty-four students from Chaparral, Legend, Lutheran and Ponderosa high schools applied for the scholarships, which were awarded to: Legend High School’s Christopher Lewis, who will be attending Colorado State University; Chaparral’s Haleigh Stewart, who will attend the University of San Diego; and Chaparral’s Sydney Nelson and Lindsey Whittington, who will both continue their educations at Colorado School of Mines.

DANIELS SCHOLARSHIP GOES TO CHAPARRAL SENIOR Devin Reasoner of Chaparral High School was recently awarded a scholarship from the Daniels Scholarship Program for exceptional character, leadership and a commitment to serving the communities. The scholarship helps pay the costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous educational expenses.

PARKER AREA CHAMBER HONORS TAIT WITH JIM ADKINS AWARD Tim Tait of Lifestyle Kitchen and Bath was recently awarded the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce’s Jim Adkins Award.

The annual award honors a local business owner for his or her community service as demonstrated through leadership in community organizations and the successful completion of projects in the Parker community and beyond.

Tait joined the Chamber in 2000 Tim Tait is honored with the 2015 Jim Adkins Award. and has been involved ever since, as a board member, Cornerstone member, and chairman and cochair of various committees. He also has participated with Town planning activities and is a strong supporter of the local Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Debbie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

MARK THE DATE The Kids' TRY-athlon is scheduled for Aug. 15 at the Parker Recreation Center.

This community event, held annually by the Parker Parks and Recreation Department, is geared for children ages 6 to 12. Surrounded CONTINUED >

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Around Town

(CONTINUED)

by cheering family and friends, more than 100 boys and girls of all ability levels will test their skills in three events: swimming, biking and running. This event is all about fun, not competition.

Businesses and organizations can gain recognition and show community support by becoming an event sponsor. For information about those opportunities, visit ParkerRec.com/KidsTRYSponsor or contact Jaime Vollertsen at jvollertsen@parkeronline.org or 303.805.3267. Event information can be found at ParkerRec.com/KidsTRY.

From left, father Hossein, Ali Zarrini and From left, Rotary Club member Tom Furmanski, Mackenzie Millar and his Rotary Club member Glenn Hertzler. mother, Mary.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE MONTH The Rotary Club of Parker recently honored Mackenzie Millar and Ali Zarrini as its May Students of the Month from Ponderosa and Chaparral, respectively.

Millar is active in sports and excels in soccer and track, earning four varsity letters. He also finds time for community service by helping the elderly, tutoring students and working with Project Outreach. He will attend Colorado State University in the fall, majoring in business and graphic design.

At Chaparral, Zarrini was enrolled in six Advance Placement classes, is a member of the National Society, FBLA and the Chess Club. Ali is also active in sports as a member of the cross country and swimming teams.

Ali will be attending the Colorado School of Mines in the fall.

KAM BREITENBACH HONORED FOR ROTARY CONTRIBUTIONS Parker’s Kam Breitenbach recently won two Rotary District 5450 Awards – the Alana James Diversity Award and Edward A. Bemis Award.

She received the Alana James Diversity Award from the Rotary Club of LoDo for her work founding and advising the Rotary Community Corps of Parker, a club for developmentally disabled teens and adults that now Kam Breitenbach (center) with the Diversity Award presented by Dishas 57 members. trict 5450 Governor Peter Ewing The Edward A. Bemis award (right) and David Ewing from the was given to her from the Rota- LoDo club (left). ry Club of Littleton for the Best Communication in the District. She serves as editor of the Lamplighter weekly newsletter and updates both the website and Facebook pages for the Rotary Club of Parker.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

July 18, 2015 Aurora Reservoir

First Sprint wave start: 6:30 AM First Olympic distance wave start: 7:30 AM

The YOLO Triathlon is the USA Triathlon Rocky Mountain Region Club Championship and the USA Triathlon Rocky Mountain Region Paratriathlon Championship. Come participate in the sprint distance, Olympic distance or challenge yourself with both!

For more information go to www.yolotri.com or email us at mike@hakamultisport.com Olympic Distance: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run Sprint Distance: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run THE DOUBLE: Sprint triathlon followed by Olympic Distance triathlon

July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

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Healthy Lifestyle

Gaining a Whole New View on Life (and Yourself ) BLEOPHAROPLASTY PROVIDES A REJUVENATION THAT MANY SEEK ARTICLE TABITHA CARVER-ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

A 45-year-old female BEFORE blepharoplasty with laser skin resurfacing.

T

ime can take a toll on your skin. Be it sun damage, exhaustion or gravity, most people will notice fine lines, droopy eyelids or puffy bags under the eyes. And as we age, the progression can worsen, causing people to feel self-conscious or even inhibit their vision.

This is where Dr. Michael McCracken of the McCracken Eye and Face Institute can help. Dr. McCracken says he was drawn to ophthalmology when he was in college, as he witnessed the detrimental effects that vision loss had on his grandmother and watched her become dependent on others for the daily activities that we take for granted.

He says he subspecialized in eyelids because he can have a very concrete impact. "It is very rewarding to me to make patients feel better about themselves,” he says.

And blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can give patients that rejuvenation that they seek. Blepharoplasty is a procedure that dramatically alters the appearance of the eyelids, with only one to two weeks of recovery time.

During the procedure, skin and fat are removed from the eyelid to open up and raise the upper eyelid and remove puffiness from below the eye.

"Another thing that we often do with (blepharoplasty) is laser skin resurfacing, and that tightens up the skin," McCracken says.

"It can help with fine lines, and it can help with any color changes around the eyes."

Eyelid surgery may also reduce vision problems, because many people suffer from headaches or lose peripheral vision due to droopy eyelids.

“Sometimes patients will say, ‘I didn’t realize this, but ever since I had that surgery, I see cars in the lane next to me and I’m not getting honked at when I try to change lanes,’” McCracken explains.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

A 45-year-old female AFTER blepharoplasty with laser skin resurfacing.

When asked what we can do here in sunny Colorado to promote youthful skin and delay the need for cosmetic procedures, Dr. McCracken offers some advice.

"Daily sunscreen wear is the most important thing, even when just driving in the car," he says. "We see more skin cancer on the left side of the face because of the sun coming in the window when people are driving.”

Also, avoid smoking and use moisturizers as much as possible.

But what about those other costly creams and ointments? Is there a miracle in a bottle somewhere out there?

Dr. McCracken says that he sees a lot of people who have purchased all the different creams from all of the different department stores.

"They’ve tried cucumbers and tea bags and all of those things, and it is really difficult to see results from any of those,” he says.

There is even a trendy new product, Neotensil, called “Spanx” for the eyes, that is a daily-use polymer placed under the eyes. At $500 for a seven-week Dr. Michael McCracken supply, it gets expensive. "And most people at that point would rather have surgery,” McCracken says.

With blepharoplasty--at the price of $2,500 for either the upper or lower eyelids, or $4,500 for both--a patient could save money in the long-run and prevent the headache of continuously putting faith in the latest fad.

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Giving Back

Creating a

HONORING A LOVED ONE WHILE HELPING OUT FUTURE GENERATIONS ARTICLE TABITHA CARVER-ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

D

ebbie Jackson was just 5 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer, and she courageously fought through years of remission and recurrence.

When Debbie passed away in 1985 at the age of 24, her parents, Bunny and Wayne Jackson, were confronted with the heartbreak that no parent should face. Yet they turned their tragedy into a helping hand for youth in the community.

Golfers gather for the 2013 tournament.

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

In 1986, Debbie’s parents began awarding one lucky high school senior a $500 scholarship in Debbie's name through their church in Littleton, Columbine United Church, which began a long-lasting family legacy of giving.

Year after year, they honored their daughter’s memory by awarding the scholarship, and in 2005 the Debbie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was created.

Over the years, scholarships have been awarded to more than 45 amazing students, with awards ranging from $500 to $4,000. Today, the foundation awards two $4,000 scholarships to seniors who either reside in Douglas County or attend a Douglas County school.

The sole funding for the scholarships comes from the Debbie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament, which is held each summer in Douglas County.

Joanna Gezon, Debbie’s sister and the president of the board of directors for the foundation, and Scott Jackson, Debbie’s brother and the tournament director, say they have seen some impressive scholarship applicants over the years.

“We have had a really amazing collection of applications,” Joanna says. “We ask them to submit their transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a summary of all of their extracurricular activities, and we ask them to write an essay that is about overcoming adversity—something that they have experienced in life and how they have overcome it and what they want to do with what they have learned as they go forward.”

These applications are then reviewed by the board of directors, and after careful deliberation and discussion, the seven board members come to a decision that will help two hard-working seniors with their next educational step.

Scott says part of the fun is surprising the students with the award at senior night.

“We try to keep it a secret, but sometimes it gets out,” he explains.

Joanna and Scott say the foundation is one of the largest private scholarship donors in the county, awarding more than $88,000 over the life of the scholarship.

This year, the 13th Annual Debbie Jackson Memorial Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament will be at Parker’s Black Bear Golf Club on Friday, July 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is accepted up to the day of the tournament.

The cost per player is $150. Individual players are welcome because there are always groups looking for an additional player.

For $700, entrepreneurs can sponsor a hole and advertise their company, which also includes a foursome of golf, along with breakfast, lunch and goody bags for each player.

For tournament participants, there also are a silent auction and door prizes to be won. Community donations for the auction or door prizes would be greatly appreciated, and all donations are tax deductible.

If you have a junior who may be interested in applying for the Debbie Jackson Scholarship for next year, the deadline for scholarship submissions is April 1, 2016.

For more information, visit DebbieJackson.org.

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Parker Woman Trains To Qualify Again for the Kona Ironman ARTICLE HEIDI JASON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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Sydney won her age group and sixth overall during the HITS Half-Iron in Grand Junction in May. 20

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

ne Thursday evening in 1974, 46 competitors lined up at San Diego’s Mission Bay for a crazy race of swimming, biking and running. As the sun was going down, the last athlete completed what most consider to be the first modern-day triathlon.

Two of those participants later helped organize the first Ironman triathlon in Hawaii in 1978, a defining race for the development and popularity of the sport.

With this beginning, it’s easy to think triathlons are only available to beach communities and hardy travelers. But Parker resident Sydney Cornell didn’t need an ocean to let triathlons change her life.

Although Sydney had run some for fitness, she had become unhealthy and overweight after having her children.

In 2002, she began to find her groove in spin classes.

On a dare from the spin instructor, along with a promise to help her train,

she entered Parker’s Fall Frenzy triathlon, where despite having to learn to swim, Sydney placed in the top five.

With that, she was all in. She felt great for the first time in years and felt in control of her weight and health. She became a personal trainer and then a USA Triathlon (USAT) certified coach and started helping others, just as her spinning instructor had helped her.

Sydney was coming into her own. She loved coaching, and consistently made the podium in the local and regional triathlon scene. In 2009, she qualified to race in the Kona Ironman, racing against some of the world’s best athletes in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run. This wife and mother from Parker completed the event in a little more than 11 hours, placing 19th in her age group.

For perspective, the winners in the professional division finish in eight to nine hours. To avoid being cut off, par-

Sy dn ey (ri gh t) in Ha wa ii f or th on eK aI ro nm an in 20 10 .

ticipants must finish within 17 hours. In other words, completing 140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running is really hard and you must be smoking fast.

It was a great year and Sydney wasn’t finished. Six weeks later, she took the podium in the Arizona Ironman with second place in her age group, securing a spot for Kona again in 2010.

After placing 14th in her age group in the 2010 race, with a finish of just less than 11 hours, Sydney decided her body needed a break from the punishing routines of the Ironman distances. Her children were becoming adolescents, and parents only get to experience these years once.

For several years now, she has focused on shorter distances, particularly those of the half-ironman. She continues to coach and helps coordinate some local races, and works for Land Title Guarantee Company in Parker. She has garnered the attention of Tribike Transport, who sponsors her racing.

Sydney never takes a race for granted, pulling herself through hard patches with her mantra, “I’m fast, I’m strong, I feel good, I will win.”

She loves any triathlon, because each one is a new challenge and teaches her something new about herself.

But Kona is a thrill that many find addictive. The big island is lure enough, really. You swim in ocean currents. You bike near surf and beaches, and though lava fields. Seriously—lava fields. And then you run, and you run and you run.

Sydney will tell you that her best moment in her triathlon career was qualifying for Kona. And this year, she’s decided it’s time to try again. She started training for the longer distances last October. She is hoping some of her athletes may also qualify, giving her a feeling of satisfaction that might even surpass some of her own achievements.

In 40 short years, the sport of triathlon has exploded from being a kooky, who-would-do-that race held on a beach in California, with car headlights shining on the finish line, to a sport that produced an event known worldwide as one of the toughest to accomplish, to a sport accepted as an Olympic event and to a sport accepted as an NCAA Emerging Sport.

Teams have developed, along with national and international governing groups and complicated rules, to ensure everyone plays fair and even. It is enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. And it changed the life of Sydney Cornell.

Not bad for a girl from Oregon who moved out to Colorado for college and just never could quite leave. Who may or may not have genetics superior to the non-Iron among us.

Who learned that perseverance can help you achieve something you never knew you wanted. Who tested her mettle and learned that it was made of iron.

Sydney earns third in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2009.

Hot Spot

A Night of Their Dreams AIR FORCE COUPLE IS HONORED WITH A COMPLIMENTARY WEDDING ARTICLE SUSAN CORMIER | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The outside courtyard decorated for an upcoming wedding. Photo by Artessa Photography

H

eather Nordstrom and Brian Thorne consider themselves among the luckiest people in the world. Not only are they about to start their married life together, they are getting married at one of the area’s premiere wedding venues – for free.

Heather and Brian were the winners of the complimentary 4th of July wedding in honor of the military, provided by Villa Parker and its preferred partners.

The couple had already planned to have their ceremony and reception at Villa Parker. They had selected July 2, which is a Thursday, to save a little money. When they committed to that date last November, Karen Schafer said couldn’t stop thinking about them.

As the director of sales for Villa Parker, Karen knew about the upcoming giveaway and wanted it to be awarded to the couple. Brian is stationed at an Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota. His fiancé is a former radiographer at Children’s Hospital Colorado, whose mother lives in Aurora.

“For four months straight, all I could think about was her,” Karen says. “She’s one of those people that you instantly connect with.”

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Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

Heather apparently felt the same connection.

“Karen made the whole experience so stress free and made me feel so comfortable,” she says. “And the venue itself is simply stunning....

We are so completely humbled by this amazing blessing and still feel like this is all a dream. We cannot thank Karen, Villa Parker and all the amazing vendors enough for this incredible experience.”

Brian agreed in a Facebook post he made after receiving the news about their free 4th of July wedding.

“We really can’t thank you all enough, from the bottom of our hearts. It’s a beautiful thing seeing the kindness and love of others, especially in a world where it isn’t shown very often.”

And while this special couple will receive a wedding valued at $20,000 that includes the donated venue, food, photography, flowers and entertainment, they aren’t the only ones who receive special treatment from Villa Parker, where nearly 100 weddings and receptions are held each year.

“You’re not just a number at Villa Parker. We love our people. We take care of them,” Karen says. “It’s truly a personalized service. Ev-

erything is customized to the couple. They become part of the Villa Parker family.”

The staff at Villa Parker becomes friends with many of the couples who get married there. They talk fondly about a couple from New Year’s Eve 2009. Both the man and woman had lost their first spouses and were getting married for the second time.

Now in their early 70s, they are “the most adorable people,” Karen says, noting that they stop by occasionally and keep in touch on Facebook, where they also share news of their travels and how they are enjoying their wonderful partnership.

“We work with people for a year, year and a half, and you get to know them pretty well,” Karen says. “They truly become friends.”

While the customized service is always a draw, the location and atmosphere at Villa Parker provide additional incentive to schedule a wedding, anniversary, graduation, corporate event or even a school prom there.

Discounted rates are available for school events, Karen says, adding that the venue’s owners are strong supporters of the

schools and many non-profits, including the Special Olympics.

Located on five acres on South Pine Drive, Villa Parker is a magnificent estate that was originally built in the 1970s, featuring Mediterranean architecture. Although originally built as a private residence, it has been a privately-owned, family-run wedding and special event venue since 2009.

It features 10,000 square feet of beautiful rooms and elegant halls, as well as a magnificent outdoor courtyard for enjoying Colorado’s lovely weather.

Customers receive exclusive use of the facility, which comfortably accommodates up to 200 guests, as well as the assistance of a wedding coordinator or event manager. For catering, most customers work with one of the venue’s preferred partners, including Occasions, Three Tomatoes, Tony Rosacci’s or a Spice of Life catering companies.

And all of the customers can rest assured that attention will be paid to every last detail, as everyone involved goes above and beyond for each and every event.

Brian Thorne with his 4-year-old daughter, Aliyah, and his fiancé, Heather Nordstrom.

The beautiful setting is perfect for weddings.

Photo by Brinton Studios VILLA PARKER

10750 S. Pine Drive Parker, CO 80138 303.805.2295 VillaParker.com

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July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

23

Parent’s Corner

Does Newer Mean Better?

A VIEW FROM PARKER’S OLDEST HIGH SCHOOL ARTICLE TIM OTTMANN | PHOTOGRAPHY SUSAN CORMIER

G

reat schools are steeped in tradition, legacy and longevity. They endure over time regardless of their physical surroundings.

However, in an age of school choice, newer schools typically seem more attractive to parents and students than older schools because of the physical surroundings. Aesthetically, they look better because they are newer, but it’s important for people to take a close look at what’s happening on the inside.

Ponderosa is the oldest high school in Parker and the second oldest in the county, and is rated among the top 15 percent of high schools in the state. Students can choose from 30 college courses, of which 18 are A.P. courses. Ponderosa graduates have some of the lowest remediation rates in the state, meaning that they are ready and well prepared for college. The average ACT composite score is 22.8, an impressive 2 points ahead of the state average and the highest among all Parker high schools. Ponderosa’s graduation rate has remained above 94 percent for 31 years! Last year alone, Ponderosa seniors were awarded more than $4 million in college scholarships.

Ponderosa is the only school in Parker to offer auto mechanics.

Our students are able to gain certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), allowing them to compete for jobs directly out of high school. This program attracts students from all over the district, and the school even has its own drag racing team.

In addition to Ponderosa’s academic excellence, Ponderosa excels in activities and athletics. Ponderosa offers 47 total club and extracurricular opportunities for students to be involved in. Ponderosa’s

24

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

PeaceJam Club was the first recipient of the PeaceJam Hero Award and received a visit from native-rights activist and Nobel Peace Laureate Roberta Menchu Tum in 2009. The PeaceJam Club has also been responsible for an energy reduction/recycling program that has saved the school district tens of thousands of dollars over the past five years.

Ponderosa’s athletic programs continue to be some of the best in the state, regularly earning league, regional and state honors. During the past 31 years, Ponderosa has won 110 league championships in multiple sports and 28 state championships in nine different sports, which is the most of any high school in Douglas County.

The activity programs are also some of the best in the state, garnering state championships in marching band, color guard and percussion. Additionally, the theater department, under the direction of Drew Keat, is gaining praise and recognition by producing quality plays and developing creativity in students.

Interestingly, being the oldest high school in Parker has its advantages. In the competitive race of “choice,” Ponderosa remains a constant for excellence in the Parker community.

Ponderosa produces quality students who are ready for college.

Ponderosa changes the world through peace and recycling efforts.

Ponderosa competes athletically at the state and national level, and offers first-class activity programs. Ponderosa proves that newer doesn’t always mean better.

PONDEROSA MUSTANGS – PROUD, PRODUCTIVE, PROVEN! Tim Ottmann is assistant principal/athletic director at Ponderosa High School.

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303-881-6857 | cynthialaudick@tmc-us.biz July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

25

Animal Tracks

A Tale of Two Cockatoos BOTH ARE HEALTHY AND HAPPY FOLLOWING THEIR RESCUE ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY THE GABRIEL FOUNDATION

M

eet Lady Anna and Miss Pearl, two Umbrella cockatoos that came to The Gabriel Foundation from separate cruelty rescue cases, almost a year apart. They were among 13 birds who came in from Colorado and eight others who came from a raided puppy mill breeder.

Both cockatoos lived in similar horrible circumstances: filth, locked up in small cages for years with no access to fresh clean water, cages filled with dry feces and old food, and nothing to do for hours on end but pick their feathers. No baths, no fresh air, no fresh food and no one there to help them until The Gabriel Foundation was asked to help.

The Foundation responded swiftly and effectively. Logistics were put in 26

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

place, quarantine space was readied and a veterinarian was on call in the event of an emergency.

Foundation staff and volunteers wondered how the girls, who had been locked up for years, would respond to their new home. It didn’t take long for each of these birds to dive into their food dishes, filled with bird-healthy vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and cooked legumes.

Hunks of strung pine wood blocks were soon made into slivers. With wings f lapping and happy bird calls, there was plenty of participation when their first showers were offered.

Given time in the healthy Colorado sun, their bodies enjoying the benefits of natural daylight and clean fresh air around them, the transformation began.

And that transformation is credited to the staff, volunteers and donors of The Gabriel Foundation.

With that support, Lady Anna and Miss Pearl were able to meet a loving, caring adopter. Now, each one is the other's best friend. That is truly a gift of love.

Founded in 1995 and located in Elbert County, The Gabriel Foundation is a non-profit parrot welfare organization, whose mission and purpose is to provide safe sanctuary and care for parrots in need, match extraordinary birds with caring adopters, and to inspire and encourage all to responsibly improve the lives of companion parrots. For more information, visit TheGabrielFoundation.org.

July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

27

Drivers Notebook

2015 Infiniti QX80 FULL-SIZE SUV DELIVERS WHEN IT COMES TO COMFORT, LUXURY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY TOM STRONGMAN

T

he Infiniti QX80 is a vehicle of contradictions and it always leaves me with mixed feelings. I’ve never been a fan of the exterior styling, yet the interior beckons with soft leather and wood trim. The V-8 engine guzzles fuel, but it is extremely smooth and strong enough to tow 8,500 pounds. In summary, this full-size SUV shines from the inside out and delivers luxury on par with anything in its segment.

Styling is certainly subjective. Infiniti updated the QX80 with a new grille that reflects the design language of the Q50 sedan.

It’s an improvement, for sure, but the big nose is still a imposing.

The QX80 used to be called the QX56. The new name is part of Infiniti’s revamped nomenclature. The SUV comes in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with a direct-injection, 5.6-liter engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The 400-horsepower V-8 can tow up to 8,500 pounds. Fuel economy is rated at 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway. Base prices start at

28

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

$63,250 for rear-wheel drive and $66,350 for all-wheel drive. The rear-wheel-drive test vehicle from Infiniti’s press fleet had a sticker price of $77,185.

On the road, the QX80 felt as if it were gliding over the pavement, even with the optional 22-inch wheels, yet the vehicle didn’t seem overly soft or mushy in turns. That’s a benefit of the optional hydraulic body motion control system that links shock absorbers from one side to those on the other, keeping body lean in check without forcing a stiff ride. The smooth ride was enhanced by a lack of wind and road noise.

The optional Driver’s Assistance Package includes blind-spot warning, backup collision avoidance intervention, forward emergency braking and forward predictive collision warning. The backup intervention applies the brakes if something is behind the vehicle, and forward emergency braking does the same when it senses an imminent collision.

This full-size SUV shines from the inside out and delivers luxury on par with anything in its segment.

The best part of the QX is the lush interior that has seating for eight with a second-row bench seat. Stratford Burl wood trim was a tasteful accent to the wheat-colored leather interior of the dark blue test vehicle. The fit and finish are all that one expects in a full-size luxury SUV. Standard equipment includes a navigation system, a Bose stereo with 13 speakers and an Around View monitor that gives a birds-eye view of the vehicle. Moving object detection alerts the driver to approaching vehicles in parking lots.

Around View was especially helpful in tight confines.

The front seats could benefit from bottom cushions with deeper contours. The split-folding second seat had plenty of legroom, and the power-folding third seat was big enough to be usable.

There is not much cargo space with the third seat in place.

The test vehicle was equipped with the theater package that had 7-inch monitors in the back of each front headrest. Games or videos can be watched separately on either screen.

Price: The base price of the test car was $63,250. Options included the theater package, blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, upgraded Bose stereo with surround sound and 15 speakers, heated and cooled front seats, and 22-inch wheels. The sticker price was $77,185.

Warranty: Four years or 60,000 miles with a six-year, 70,000mile powertrain warranty.

2015 Infiniti QX80 ENGINE: 5.6-liter, 400-horsepower V-8 TRANSMISSION: Seven-speed automatic Rear-wheel drive WHEELBASE: 121.1 inches CURB WEIGHT: 5,633 pounds BASE PRICE: $63,250 AS DRIVEN: $77,185 MPG RATING: 14 city, 20 highway

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July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

29

LIV

like no other

Property shown: 9251 Wild Elk Place, Parker, $2,099,000

NEW PRICE

CASTLE PINES VILLAGE

4 Beds | 5 Baths | 6,743 Finished Square Feet 1039 Country Club Estates Drive $2,530,000 Joyce Paloma & Felicia Jenkins 303.741.5000

CASTLE PINES VILLAGE

4 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,979 Finished Square Feet 5079 Castle Pines Drive $784,900 Rosemary Nigh & Whitney Cain 303.229.9340

858 W. Happy Canyon Road, Suite 100 Castle Rock, Colorado 80108

PARKER

6 Beds | 5 Baths | 6 Acres | Total Remodel 4454 Palmer Ridge Drive $899,218 Richard Berst 303.809.6771

LARKSPUR

35.5 acres at the base of Pike National Forest 8675 South Perry Park Road $599,000 Joyce Paloma & Felicia Jenkins 303.741.5000

livsothebysrealty.com 303.660.8800

Sold Properties $700 K +

Recently SOLD Parker Properties

Address List Price Sold Price % Sold/Original Bedrooms Baths 11621 Warrington Court ....................$1,798,000 ................$1,798,000............... 100% ...................... 6 ................ 9 10540 East Democrat Road ..............$1,900,000 ................$1,700,000 ............... 89% ....................... 4 ................ 7 9497 Sara Gulch Circle .....................$1,459,000 ................$1,459,000 ............... 100% ...................... 4 ................ 7 10914 Remmick Ridge Road .............$1,399,999 ................$1,398,999 .............. 100% ...................... 5 ................ 8 9250 Wild Elk Place ..........................$1,390,000 ................$1,375,000 ................ 99% ....................... 5 ................ 7 9660 East Tom Tom Drive .................$1,400,000 ................$1,325,000 ............... 95% ....................... 4 ................ 5 9846 Bluestar Drive .........................$1,229,000 ................$1,195,000 ................ 97% ....................... 4 ................ 7 5326 Pinyon Jay Road ......................$1,200,000 ................$1,146,000 ................ 96% ....................... 5 ................ 5 4957 Caballo Place...........................$1,189,000 .................$1,100,000 ................ 93% ....................... 6 ................ 6 9819 Bluestar Drive ..........................$989,000 ...................$950,000 .................. 96% ....................... 5 ................ 5 11764 Bell Cross Circle .....................$989,950 ...................$921,500 .................. 93% ....................... 5 ................ 5 157 North Pines Trail ........................$889,000 ...................$886,000 .................. 99% ....................... 5 ................ 6 5085 Starry Sky Way ........................$899,900 ...................$880,000 .................. 98% ....................... 4 ................ 5 6002 Saddle Creek Trail ...................$975,900 ...................$879,000 .................. 90% ....................... 4 ................ 5 4548 Carefree Trail ...........................$875,000 ...................$870,000 .................. 99% ....................... 4 ................ 4 9197 Red Poppy Court ......................$900,000 ..................$860,000 .................. 96% ....................... 6 ................ 5 5283 Pinyon Jay Road ......................$859,900 ...................$859,900 ................. 100% ...................... 4 ................ 4 10815 Inspiration Drive ....................$899,000 ...................$850,000 .................. 95% ....................... 4 ................ 4 7947 Cistena Way .............................$869,000 ...................$848,339 .................. 98% ....................... 5 ................ 5 46796 Silver Fir Street .....................$890,000 ...................$845,000 .................. 95% ....................... 5 ................ 5 12694 Summit Ridge Road ...............$846,900 ...................$830,000 .................. 98% ....................... 5 ................ 5 12139 North 4th Street .....................$869,000 ...................$820,000 .................. 94% ....................... 6 ................ 4 5235 Moonlight Way .........................$899,000 ...................$815,000 .................. 91% ....................... 4 ................ 5 582 North Pines Trail ........................$775,000 ...................$800,000 ................ 103% ...................... 4 ................ 5 3973 Eastout Avenue ........................$699,900 ...................$799,900 .................. 114% ...................... 4 ................ 4 4598 Carefree Trail ...........................$785,000 ...................$778,500 .................. 99% ....................... 4 ................ 5 7726 Prairie Lake Trail ......................$734,000 ...................$721,000 ................... 98% ....................... 4 ................ 5 8351 Owl Roost Court .......................$749,900 ...................$720,000 .................. 96% ....................... 5 ................ 5 5501 Nuthatch Road.........................$739,900 ...................$719,000................... 97% ....................... 4 ................ 4 5646 Saddle Creek Trail ...................$709,900 ...................$709,900 ................. 100% ...................... 4 ................ 4 10003 North Delbert Road ...............$724,900 ...................$700,000 .................. 97% ....................... 3 ................ 2 This data is a sampling of sold properties $700K+ from the past 90 days. Source: MLS system.

LIV REPORT RTREP ORT LIV REPOLIV RTR E P O RT LIV REPOLIRVTREPOLIV

ROMARKETMICROMARKETMICROMARKETMICROMARKETMICR OMARKET

MICROMARKETMIC

DENVER METRO

C O LO R A D O M

BOULDER | Quarter 1 2015

I C R O R E P O R TS

2015 COUNTY | Quarter VAIL 1 2015 VALLEY | Quarter 1 2015FOOTHILLS | Quarter 1SUMMIT | Quarter 1 2015 WE

RADOMICRORE .C O M C O LO

ST METRO | Quar

P O R TS . C O M C O L O R A D O M I C R O R E P O R TS . C O M C O L O R A D O M I C R O R E P O R TS . C O M C O L O R A D O M I C RORE

P O R TS . C O M

C O LO R A D O M

ter 1 2015

I C R O R E P O R TS

.C O M

For additional market data please visit us at ColoradoMarketReports.com livsothebysrealty.com

858 W. Happy Canyon Road, Suite 100 Castle Rock, Colorado 80108 Boulder

Breckenridge

Castle Pines

303.660.8800 Cherry Creek

Downtown Denver

Evergreen

Denver Tech Center

Vail Valley

Lifestyle Calendar

July in Parker. This is a non-profit ride benefiting the Crisis Center. There are two routes available, both of which begin at the PACE Center. For information, visit TourdeLadies.com.

JULY 17-AUG. 2 WEST SIDE STORY PACE CENTER

JULY 4 LET FREEDOM SING! SALISBURY PARK

Parker's 4th of July celebration features bounce houses, games, a climbing wall, food, music and fireworks. The entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with patriotic music by Rocky Mountain Brassworks. The fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.

EVERY SUNDAY IN JULY PARKER FARMERS MARKET DOWNTOWN PARKER

The Parker Farmers Market is held each Sunday in July from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mainstreet in Old Town Parker.

JULY 9 AND 10 EQUINE EXPLORATION CAMP HARMONY EQUINE CENTER, FRANKTOWN

Students entering the third through sixth grades will spend two days learning about all things horses - from hay to z! Through hands-on activities, campers will gain knowledge of horse anatomy, body language, markings and more.

Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, the cost of the Equine Exploration Camp is $120. For information, visit DDFL.org.

JULY 11 TOUR DE LADIES BEGINS AT PACE CENTER

Tour de Ladies is a non-competitive, women-only cycling event through the rolling hills of Douglas County, starting 32

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to 20th century New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. Purchase tickets online at PaceCenterOnline.TicketForce.com.

JULY 18 MOVIES IN THE PARK O’BRIEN PARK

Bring blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family to enjoy this free event, hosted by the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce.

The July movie – Back to the Future II – begins at dusk. Games, music and concessions begin at 6 p.m.

JULY 18 CADDYSTACKS PARKER LIBRARY

Caddystacks is back! Kids and their families will enjoy mini golf at the library during the event, which begins at 6 p.m. To register, call 303.791.7323 or visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

JULY 29 PACE PATIO PARTY PACE CENTER

Singer-songwriter Jeff Brinkman will perform at 6 p.m. on the PACE Center’s West Patio. Brinkman’s voice has been compared to music greats such as Joe Cocker, Ben Harper, Bill Withers, Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Ray LaMontagne and Amos Lee. No tickets are required for this free event, but space is limited to the first 200 people who arrive after the patio opens at 5 p.m.

No seating is provided, so lawn chairs from home are encouraged.

business directory ANIMALS & ANIMAL CARE Camp Bow Wow-Parker (303) 805-9739 campbowwow.com/us/co/parker/ about-us

AUTOMOTIVE

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Infiniti of Denver (303) 671-6000 infinitiofdenver.com

Beautiful Borders (303) 345-7869 BeautifulBordersCO.com

DANCE

Colorado Shutters (303) 805-0700 coloradoshutters.com

Fred Astaire Dance Studio Parker (303) 237-3733 dancelessonsdenver.com

OTHER

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS

McCracken Facial And Eye (720) 851-6600 mccarckenmd.com

EDUCATION

Parker Chamber (303) 841-4268 parkerchamber.com

Big O Tires- Parker (303) 840-1043 bigotires.com/Location/CO/Parker/80138/006246

Colorado School of Dance (303) 841-7233

JULY 31 STICK HORSE RODEO PARKER LIBRARY

The whole family is invited to participate in the Stick Horse Rodeo, designed for children ages 2 to 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Parker library. Participants will have a ball completing six rodeo-style events inside the library. To register, call 303.791.7323 or visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

JULY 31 WINE WALK DOWNTOWN PARKER

The Parker Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wine Walk through Old Town Parker runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For $15, participants receive a commemorative wine glass and 10 tastings. Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at ParkerChamber.com or on the evening of the event at the Chamber office.

Colorado Athletic Club Inverness (303) 790-7777 wellbridge.com

Ardas Family Dental (720) 459-8420 Engel Academy (303) 550-01081 engelacademy.com

ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION Club Corp Colorado (303) 840-3100 clubccorp.com Minturn Anglers (720) 851-4665 minturnanglers.com Safe Splash (303) 799-1885 safesplash,com YOLO Triathlon (303) 883-0129

FINANCIAL SERVICES & PLANNING Transamerica Financial Advisors- Parker (303) 589-6883 tfaconnect.com

Aspen Falls Customer Design and Landscaping (720) 331-6601 aspenfallslandscaping.com

DoBizLo (303) 805-3904 dobizlo.com

Villa Parker Event Venue (303) 805-2295 villaparker.com

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

Chad Hines Your Castle Real Estate/ The Mortgage Company (720) 891-2197 LIV Sotheby’s Castle Pines (303) 660-8800 livsothebysrealty.com

SALONS & SPAS

Elements Massage-Parker (303) 805-1902 elementsmassage.com/parker

SENIOR LIVING & SERVICES Brookside Inn (303) 688-2500 brooksideinnsnf.com/

HEALTH & WELLNESS 9Round Parker (720) 343-7822 9round.com

July 2015 | Parker Lifestyle

33

Parting Thoughts

independence day:

An Expat Couple's Perspective WORDS AND PICTURES REBECCA BERRA Ernie and Joan Salisbury on their front porch in Parker.

E

rnie and Joan Salisbury have celebrated the 4th of July together 54 times.

Born in London, England, in the late 1920s, Ernie and Joan met while working at a butcher’s shop.

“I finished school and went straight to work the next day,” Joan says. “I was 14.”

“I was 16 and I thought I was one of the boys,” Ernie says with a grin. “She used to call me “son,” which was a bit of a put-down. So I christened her with a bucket of water over the head.”

Soon after their friendship began, Ernie and Joan experienced the horrors of World War II. Many familiar areas of London were bombed beyond recognition. In 1944, Ernie joined the Royal Navy and was sent to HMS Icarus, which was participating in the Battle of the Atlantic. After four years of service, Ernie returned to London, to the butcher’s shop and to Joan.

“I bought her engagement ring for her 21st birthday,” Ernie says with a smile. “We got married the next year. After all the bombing, houses were in short supply. There didn’t seem like much of a chance to get a home, so we moved to Canada in 1953.”

“We made a lot of English friends up there,” Ernie recalls. “They were all in the aircraft industry. When the work dried up, they moved to California. They used to talk to us every week and tell us how nice it was. The sun was shining and they were only a few minutes from Disneyland. So after a while, we followed them.”

Ernie and Joan’s first July 4th on American soil was in 1961, at Huntington Beach, Calif. They attended the local celebration with their little girl, Karen, whom they had adopted in Canada. The family of three grew to five, as Joan had two baby boys, Mark and 34

Parker Lifestyle | July 2015

Paul. Every year, they attended the big parade with their British friends, with all their children waving American flags.

The children grew up and left home. Karen married and had a daughter, but sadly passed away only four years later. In 1990, Ernie and Joan decided to move again, this time to Parker.

“We left because it was over- Ernie and Joan Salisbury on their wedding day in Wembley, England, in 1950. crowded,” Ernie says. “Parker was very green at that time. There was hardly anybody here. Mark came up and joined us after 10 months. He got married and lives in Centennial. Paul, the youngest one, came up, skidded in his car on the snow and decided he didn’t like it. He’s still in California.”

The couple, who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this spring, now have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in Colorado, California, Missouri and New Mexico.

“It’s very easy to live here,” Joan affirms. “I’m happy with the children being American. My mum thought we did the right thing. And my brother always said he wished he had the courage to do what we did.”

“The USA is a beautiful country. I like the opportunities everybody has. I like the people. They are very friendly and have treated us well,” Ernie says. “We put our flag out every July 4th and watch the fireworks. Listening to the national anthem, I put my hand on my heart. It brings tears to my eyes.”

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